Abstract: A ram-type blowout preventer (10) has a front packing arrangement (24) with a packer assembly (28) therein. Packer assembly (28) includes an elastomeric packer member (30) and a recess (46) defined between plates (32) and (34) adjacent elastomeric packer member (30). A replaceable wear insert (60) insertable within recess (46) has projections (74) on opposed parallel sides (66, 68) of insert (60). Projections (74) include a pair of wedge-shaped projecting portions (76, 78) which press into and deform the adjacent contacting sides (48, 50) of elastomeric packer member (30) for retaining insert (60) in position within recess (46) without any separate preformed receptacles or grooves formed in elastomeric packer member (30).

Abstract: An improved ram-type blowout preventer having an improved resilient ram packer which includes an upper retainer plate and a lower retainer plate which each have a front face with a central recess therein, a back and sides, resilient end elements bonded between the plates at the sides and having facing surfaces extending from front to back and a resilient insert shaped to be positioned between said plates and between said end elements with sides mating with the shape of the facing surfaces of the end elements.

Abstract: The variable bore packer for a ram-type blowout preventer includes a body of resilient packing material with upper and lower plates embedded in the upper and lower surfaces of the body and upper and lower sets of insert segments disposed adjacent the upper and lower plates. The plates have arcuate radial corners at their terminal ends for preventing extrusion. Each of the insert segments includes a pair of insert plates forming an arcuate opening to receive an appropriate sized tubular member and dimensioned to expand and move rearwardly in the resilient packing material upon engagement with a larger diameter tubular member. A polyester rope is embedded in the resilient packing material adjacent the insert segments so as to bond with the resilient packing material.

Abstract: A packer for use with a ram-type blowout preventer which has the capacity to accommodate a plurality of sizes of tubular members extending through the bore of the blowout preventer, the packer having a resilient body to fit the face recess of the ram and a central recess to receive a tubular member, an upper plate positioned in the upper portion of the resilient body, a lower plate positioned in the lower portion of the resilient body, a plurality of metal insert segments positioned between the upper surface of the resilient body and the under surface of the upper plate and around the central recess of the resilient body, the metal insert segments having sufficient length to engage the exterior of a tubular member which is to be engaged and sealed against by the resilient body with the insert segments being selected to seal against a preselected small tubular member diameter which is less than the diameter which could be sealed by the packer without the insert segments.

Abstract: A shearing apparatus for installation on a wellhead and having capability of shearing drill collars.